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August 2 2011

5:18 PM

AKRON, Ohio -- Darren Clarke is still getting used to being the
"Champion Golfer of the Year." Make no mistake, though, he's loving
every minute of his reign as the British Open champion.

"There's been lots of 'well dones and handshakes and stuff like
that, but (they) probably still think I'm a fat so-and-so who likes
to have a good time, but that's fine with me," Clarke said
Tuesday.

Clarke said he hasn't had much time to reflect on what he did at
Royal St. George's last month. But when he missed the cut at last
week's Irish Open -- the first time he was introduced on the first
tee as the British Open champion -- Clarke spent some time at his
home at Royal Portrush going through his mail.

"There was some very meaningful notes there, one from Jack and
one from Arnie and from the Prime Minister and the President of
Ireland, all sorts of really, really nice notes," Clarke said, at
the same time declining to reveal the what the golf legends wrote.
"So that was really cool."

And if you're wondering whether there's been any of that dark
brown stout in the Claret Jug -- don't. The fun-loving Irishman,
who plays in the World Golf Championships-Bridgestone Invitational,
has too much respect for the trophy.

"To tell you the truth, there's been absolutely nothing in
the Claret Jug," Clarke said. "There has not been a drink in it.
When it comes to things, I thought I could, but when I got my hands
on it, I'm a little bit of a traditionalist and I didn't think it
would be right to put anything in there.

"I'm not saying I won't, but at this stage -- maybe Christmas
dinner or Christmas lunch I might have a little bit of Claret in
there, but so far there's been nothing in there."